Kochi-based SectorQube raises under $50K in crowdfunding for smart microwave oven

SectorQube Technologies Pvt Ltd, a Kochi-based Startup Village incubatee, has raised over $48,000 (around Rs 30 lakh) via crowdfunding platform Kickstarter for its flagship product Microwave Android Integrated Device (MAID).

"We are happy that we nearly reached the target within just five days of launching the campaign. We now hope to reach $200,000-$300,000 by the time the campaign ends on December 03, 2014," said Sabarish Prakash, co-founder of SectorQube told Techcircle.in.

SectorQube plans to use the money to manufacture and ship MAID. "We have got backing from more than 160 people so far. We are now planning to start shipping the product from November next year," he added.

SectorQube was set up in October 2011 by Prakash, Nibu Alias, Ani Abraham Joy, Arjun S, Midhun Skaria, Biniyas VL and Ashwin Saju – all were students at B Tech students of Toc H Institute of Science and Technology (Kochi).

What is MAID?

MAID is a smart kitchen assistant and microwave oven that knows every recipe and cooks every dish, claims Prakash. It brings crowd-sourced recipes directly to your kitchen, he claimed. Connected to a recipe store in the internet, MAID has access to unlimited number of recipes. According to Prakash, MAID has been created to make cooking simple, social and fun. You can search for recipes based on ingredients, type of dish or just ask MAID to recommend a dish.

In addition, MAID also understands your calorie requirements based on your cooking habits and daily activities. Thus, it plays the role of a personal dietician recommending a healthy balanced diet for you, he claimed.

MAID can also stream cookery shows from the recipe store so that you can cook watching them. Also, just like a smartphone, MAID software can be updated over the air.

The ovens will be made by an external supplier based on design, specifications from SectorQube.

In an interaction with Techcircle.in early last year, Prakash had said that the firm had partnered with consumer durables firm Godrej to integrate MAID with its electronic devices. The firm was also planning to extend it to other home appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, TVs, music systems, home security systems, etc.

SectorQube is the third company from Startup Village to have raised money via crowdfunding platforms. Recently, Mindhelix Inc raised under $120,000 through Kickstarter for its product 'Rico' that converts one's spare smartphone into a home security device. Early this year, RHLvision, another Startup Village incubatee, had raised $200,000 in funding via crowdfunding platform Indiegogo.

(Edited by Joby Puthuparampil Johnson)